Hong Kong government defends non-plastic disposable utensils amid PFAS safety concerns
Hong Kong's government says PFAS levels in paper straws and other non-plastic disposable utensils are too low to pose health risks under normal use. It defends its plastic ban, citing waste reduction, and says it will monitor biodegradable plastic developments.
Hong Kong’s government has said that levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) found in paper straws and other non-plastic disposable utensils are extremely low under normal use and do not pose a health risk to the public.
The statement came in a legislative council reply on 7 October 2026 to questions from lawmaker Ho Chun-hin about potential safety risks from plastic-alternative disposable tableware following the first phase of Hong Kong’s plastic ban which took effect on 22 April 2024.
Ho cited studies showing PFAS, a group of persistent synthetic chemicals linked to cancer and endocrine disruption, are widely present in paper straws. He asked whether the government had tested paper and bamboo straws for PFAS, assessed chemical release in acidic or hot conditions, and whether the “Green Tableware Platform” run by the Environmental Protection Department should require PFAS testing reports from suppliers.
In its reply, the government said PFAS are stable synthetic substances used for water- and oil-repellent coatings in products including food packaging. It referenced overseas university research analysing PFAS in straws made of paper, bamboo, plastic and glass. The data showed that, under normal use, the total amount of chemicals released is extremely low and far below the threshold that could cause health risks.
The government added that the Green Tableware Platform already requires suppliers to submit material test reports from accredited laboratories to prove products meet non-plastic requirements. Since 2024, the platform secretariat (the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Council) has proactively invited suppliers to submit additional evidence on product performance and quality, including PFAS.
On biodegradable plastics such as PHA, which are widely used in mainland China, the government said there is still insufficient evidence that these products fully degrade in landfill conditions. Even if some degrade in marine environments, the process can take months or years, during which they may still harm marine life, and their production may involve chemical additives.
The government said it will keep an open attitude, monitor international scientific developments, standards and practical applications of biodegradable plastics, and review regulatory strategies in due course while balancing health, environmental benefits and user experience.